Chapter 8
Meeting the Parents
The next morning, I waited in my parents’ driveway for Trace. As he pulled up in his rambling Camaro, I could see his bright smile through the windshield.
“Morning, beautiful,” he called out as he exited the driver’s seat.
“You’re looking quite gentlemanly this morning,” I cooed before wrapping my arms around his middle.
“Have to make a good impression. What did they say when you told them you were bringing a date for brunch?” Trace pulled away for a moment, diving into the front seat to grab a bottle of champagne, orange juice, and a bouquet of wildflowers.
“I didn’t. You’re a surprise.” I smirked, swaying from side to side. “I like catching my folks off guard.”
“Fair enough. I hope it’s all right that I brought a little liquid courage for us this morning.”
“Nice touch, Mr. Hastings.”
“Don’t call me that. That is my father. I am just Trace, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Fair enough. Shall we?” I motioned toward the door.
“Après vous.”
Walking into the foyer, I called out, “Y’all decent? I brought company.”
My mother rushed around the corner with her eyes wide as she rubbed her hands on her apron. “Honey, you should have told us you were bringing someone.” She was glaring at me while trying to smile at Trace at the same time.
“It was a last-minute thing. I kind of invited myself along,” he told her.
“Mom, this is my friend, Trace Hastings. Trace, this is my mother, Francie.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Trace held out his full hands. “May I set these down?”
“Oh, of course. Where are my manners? Right this way.” Mom led us into the kitchen, where my father was sitting reading the paper.
“Don’t get up on my account,” I teased, walking over to kiss him on the cheek.
He looked over me to Trace. “Trace, how in the hell did you wind up here?”
Getting up, my dad made his way over as my date popped the bottle of champagne right away.
Trace nodded toward me. “Sawyer and I got to talking yesterday morning over breakfast, we realized she was the little filly you mentioned at the club last Sunday, and I insisted on crashing your brunch. I hope it’s not going to be too much of an imposition.”
My mother smiled as she took a seat at the table with a mimosa in hand. “Not at all. We have plenty of food. How did the two of you meet?”
“Remember the consultation that ran long last week? Trace’s sister is the bride for that wedding.” I offered up the explanation with a sneering grin as I dropped a strawberry in my champagne.
“My sister is quite taken with your daughter’s talents, and frankly, so am I.” Trace gripped my hand under the table while I gushed internally from his sincere compliment.
My father huffed down into his seat. “Your father did mention that your sister was tying the knot. Your family must be very excited.”
“And busy,” Trace added. “Misty has all of us on wedding duty. That’s how I ended up at the meeting with Sawyer.”
“Well, isn’t that just a wonderful little bit of serendipity. Tell us about yourself, Trace. What do you do? Divorced? Widower? Children?”
“Mother,” I scoffed. “Give him a minute before you dive in with the third degree.”
Trace chuckled. “Those are easy enough, and I don’t mind. I am the chief financial officer for Whalen and Burke here in town. I have never been married, not even close, and I do not have any children that I know about.”